Synonym Chooser

How does the verb confirm contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of confirm are authenticate, corroborate, substantiate, validate, and verify. While all these words mean "to attest to the truth or validity of something," confirm implies the removing of doubts by an authoritative statement or indisputable fact.

confirmed the reports

When is authenticate a more appropriate choice than confirm?

While the synonyms authenticate and confirm are close in meaning, authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion.

handwriting experts authenticated the diaries

When is it sensible to use corroborate instead of confirm?

While in some cases nearly identical to confirm, corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.

witnesses corroborated his story

When could substantiate be used to replace confirm?

The synonyms substantiate and confirm are sometimes interchangeable, but substantiate implies the offering of evidence that sustains the contention.

the claims have yet to be substantiated

In what contexts can validate take the place of confirm?

The meanings of validate and confirm largely overlap; however, validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof.

validated the hypothesis by experiments

When would verify be a good substitute for confirm?

In some situations, the words verify and confirm are roughly equivalent. However, verify implies the establishing of correspondence of actual facts or details with those proposed or guessed at.

all statements of fact in the article have been verified

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of confirm Yoon, South Korea’s first sitting president to be arrested, has also been suspended from his presidential duties as the Constitutional Court decides whether to confirm his impeachment motion, which was passed by the legislature in late December. Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025 More research is needed to confirm spearmint's potential use as a testosterone-lowering treatment. Jillian Kubala, Health, 19 Jan. 2025 You may be asked to confirm your decision by clicking Yes. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2025 The White later confirmed the event would be rescheduled for next week at the White House to accommodate additional attendees. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for confirm 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confirm
Verb
  • On Blind, an anonymous messaging app that requires users to verify their employment before viewing company-specific posts, users mocked the video.
    Zoë Schiffer, WIRED, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Douglas County investigators verified the DNA results linking Jefferson to the scene through an outside lab, but they were now faced with Woods’ actions tainting their lynchpin piece of evidence, Brauchler said.
    Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The City Council will vote Tuesday to approve the salary and terms of Milstein’s contract which will authorize her to oversee thousands of city employees and a $1.5 billion budget.
    Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Father Missing a Limb and Son with Cerebral Palsy Weren't Able to Evacuate L.A. Fires in Time, Family Says CNN reported that the family applied for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency which was not approved.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • TikTok argues that shutting down the media platform violates the free speech of the U.S. operation and the millions of Americans who use it daily, says NPR's Bobby Allyn.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Around that time, a few pioneering researchers argued that clinical decision-making should be grounded in the best available evidence.
    Aaron J. Masino, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • So in 1933, the 20th Amendment was ratified, changing Inauguration Day to Jan. 20 and the first session of the new Congress to Jan. 3.
    Chantelle Lee, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Inaugurations used to be held in March until the 20th Amendment was ratified in 1933, stating that the president's term began at noon on Jan. 20.
    Max Golembo, ABC News, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Traitors contestant finalized his divorce from ex-wife Britney Spears in May 2024 following a year-long separation that began in July 2023.
    Emily Blackwood, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Those pay hikes — four years of raises and an array of other financial incentives — were not finalized until several months after her budget went into effect.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Research suggests that validation helps people feel understood and accepted, and can even defuse intense emotions.
    Angela Haupt, TIME, 13 Jan. 2025
  • For example, an iPhone user may be asked to reply yes (Y) or no (N) to accept a delivery.
    Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near confirm

Cite this Entry

“Confirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confirm. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on confirm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!